Count under way in by-elections

Counting is under way in two Westminster by-elections, with results expected in the early hours.
Voters in the South Wales seat of Blaenau Gwent are choosing a successor to the late independent MP Peter Law.

The winner in Bromley and Chislehurst will replace Tory MP Eric Forth, who died after suffering from cancer.

Bromley is the first big by-election test for David Cameron. Tony Blair and Sir Menzies Campbell will both hope the results help boost their positions.

Mr Law produced one of the big upsets of the 2005 General Election when he overturned Labour's 19,000 majority.

He had left the party in protest at the introduction of a woman-only shortlist. He was diagnosed with a tumour during his election campaign and died in April.

Mr Law's agent, Dai Davies, is an independent candidate in the seat at Thursday's by-election, while his widow, Trish Law, is a candidate in a separate election to replace him as the Welsh Assembly member for the constituency.

The result will be carefully watched to see whether Mr Law's success in 2005 can be repeated. Its uniqueness makes it difficult for any result to be used as a basis for national political implications.

BBC News